Step 6: Optional: Attach your liner

Step 7: Ta da!

You're done! Now you can face that winter chill with the confidence and assurance that your jacket will keep you those oh-so-critical few degrees war...

Is your jacket not quite standing up to the harsh winter cold anymore? Or maybe, like me, you've actually lost the winter liner that it came with? Afraid you might have to give up a favorite for something a little warmer? Fear not! Now you can make your own warm (removable!) winter jacket liner!

Step 2: Make a simple pattern

Flip your jacket inside out. You're going to need a pattern for one of the front panels (picture 1) and for the back panel (picture 2). This simplest way to do this is to get a piece of newspaper big enough to completely cover the area (I had to tape some pieces together) and pin it down to keep it in place.

Now it's up to you. You can guesstimate the lines and cut away, you can feel for the seams and draw yourself a line to cut, or you can fold the newspaper to make a crease (picture 4) and cut along that. Any way you choose, it doesn't have to be perfect. Also, try to err on the larger side...you can always cut something smaller!

Simultaneously overkill and not enough on the buttons, not that you needed to add any at all -- those big green buttons around the edge (3 each side, and two on the shoulders) are for the stock cold-weather liner, pictured below. They are, by the way, sewn all the way through the outside layer; apparently the US Government didn't trust the lining fabric alone to hold the liner. But you shouldn't have any problems, spreading the load out over that many buttons.

I do like the tiger stripe fake fur, though, as well as the other commentator's fleece sweater idea. Perhaps make multiple liners of varying thickness/insulation quality so you can have the perfect coat for any weather!

In case you were wondering, the random button, snap, and buttonholes on the outside around the collar/lapel area are for attaching the fur-lined arctic parka hood. Why they used three different fasteners, I have no idea.

Also, instead of cutting out the front panel twice, you could fold that part of the fabric, with the nice side on the inside of the fold. You'd have a mirror image and both parts cut out at once. The only problem I can see rising from this would be if the fabric resists cutting at that thickness.

That would work great! I tried it out using this stuff to line the sleeves, but it was really bulky and uncomfortable. I find this to be plenty warm with a sweatshirt or long sleeved shirt underneath it, though.